The nation's primary law dealing with the disposal of solid and hazardous waste.
The national goals for the RCRA
The protection of human health from the potential hazards of waste disposal in the environment
"The law includes increased enforcement of authority for EPA, more strict hazardous waste management standards, and a comprehensive
Recycling Bin
underground storage tank programs" (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2008)
This law gives the EPA the authority to control hazardous waste
This includes the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste
Harzardous waste is a waste that has the potential of causing damage to human health and/or the environment
It can be found in the forms of solids, liquids, contained gases, and sludges.
Harzardous wastes can be by-products of manufacturing or commerical products that were tossed away such as cleaning fluids or pesticides.
The RCRA hazardous waste is waste that either appears on one of the four hazardous wastes lists (F-list, K-list, P-list, U-list) or contains one of the characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity.
The F-list: wastes from manufacturing and industrial processes such as from cleaning and degreasing operations. The wastes are known as non-specific source wastes because they can be produced from different areas of industry.
The K-list: wastes from specific sources such as petroleum refining and pesticide manufacturing.
The P-list and U-list: include specific commerical chemical products that become hazardous when they are discarded.
Ignitability: able to be set on fire under certain conditions such as waste oils and used solvents.
Corrosivity: acids and bases that have the ability to corrode metal containers such as storage tanks and barrels.
Reactivity: reactive wastes can cause explosions, toxic fumes, gases, and vapors once heated, compressed, or mixed with water such as lithium sulfur batteries and explosives.
Toxicity: toxic wastes are dangerous when ingested or absorbed. When released on land, they may contaminate ground water
Top Picture:Mislinski, Phil. Hawaii State Department of Health Approves Honolulu Petition toIncrease Landfill Height. Photograph. 2002. Getty Images. 18 Sept. 2002. eLibrary Curriculum Edition. ProQuest. Hempfield High School Lib., Landisville, PA. 19 May 2008 [[http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/ce%3C/span%3E%3Cspan|http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/ce<span]]
Top Picture:Mislinski, Phil. Hawaii State Department of Health Approves Honolulu Petition to Increase Landfill Height. Photograph. 2002. Getty Images. 18 Sept. 2002. eLibrary Curriculum Edition. ProQuest. Hempfield High School Lib., Landisville, PA. 19 May 2008 [[http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/ce%3C/span%3E%3Cspan|http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/ce<span]]